It’s a connection that’s challenging to articulate. Perhaps infectious, this bond is something you aspire to be a part of and comprehend. These four emerging leaders in the pork sector not only share a distinct connection and a purpose-driven friendship but also exhibit a selfless tendency to prioritize each other and celebrate each other’s achievements before their own.
And let me tell you, they have numerous reasons to celebrate now.
They captivated me from the initial moments I interacted with them during a media training session preceding the World Pork Expo. Being drawn to positivity and having dedicated significant time over the years to team and community building, I found myself irresistibly drawn to observe and track the progress of this group.
Every trade show I attend, I encounter this cohort. It’s akin to when you purchase a specific car and suddenly start noticing the same car everywhere you go.
Encountering four graduates from this PLI class at the Ohio Pork Congress, I requested a sit-down conversation to delve into the impact of PLI and the developments over the past 18 months. To be candid, I am genuinely impressed by how they have expanded and enhanced their influence in such a brief period.
(l to r) Jill Brokaw, Nick Seger, Morgan Wonderly, and Phil Hord at the Ohio Pork Congress.
Jill Brokaw, a pig farmer from Illinois, recently assumed a new position as a sustainability coordinator at the National Pork Board. Morgan Wonderly, a swine unit manager and lecturer at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, has joined the National Pork Board of Directors. Nick Seger, a pig farmer from Ohio, currently serves as the president of the Ohio Pork Council. Phil Hord, also a pig farmer from Ohio, has transitioned into the role of president of Hord Family Farms, while his father, Pat, serves as the CEO of the farm.
Success? Undoubtedly, that term encapsulates their journey in numerous aspects. They are driving change within the pork industry and striving to ensure that the voice of their generation is heard. However, beyond all else, they have forged a friendship among themselves that has proven to be a pillar of support during one of the most challenging economic periods in the history of the pork industry.
The academic rigor of PLI is unquestionably robust, offering a comprehensive educational platform that enables participants to amplify the narrative of the pork industry globally. Nonetheless, former graduates emphasize that PLI transcends mere information and education. It revolves around uniting producers and allied industry members to form a bond that empowers them to evolve as leaders in the industry.
“I believe it’s the connection of having peers to grow alongside, individuals who are at a similar stage but not necessarily with you every day. We may have diverse roles, responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities, but there’s a common thread of undergoing a program that immerses you in your industry and its functioning,” Hord articulates. “What initiatives are we undertaking to enhance our future? How can we support each other along this journey?”
Seger highlights the exceptional diversity within their group. In fact, at the time, PLI organizers Janine Van Vark and Dinah Peebles described the group as a blend of polar opposites.
“As we concluded the program, the group had developed a remarkably close-knit and intertwined dynamic. Everyone harmonized well, and all voices were valued. From a leadership perspective, this exemplifies how leadership principles can be effectively applied—melding diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve common goals,” Seger adds.
For Wonderly, PLI instilled the confidence to vie for a position on the National Pork Board, despite considering herself a non-traditional pork producer.
“PLI provided me with a network of support,” Wonderly affirms. “Hailing from a smaller pork-producing state, it also bolstered my confidence to speak up and share my story, even though I originate from California, a less densely populated pig farming region.”
PLI reshaped perceptions regarding how individuals can contribute to the broader landscape of U.S. pork leadership.
“It enabled us to collaborate with industry peers from various sectors and regions across the nation, allowing us to discern our intersections and resonances,” Brokaw reflects. “We still maintain frequent communication with our PLI cohort. I’m not certain if this is the norm. I could be anywhere in the U.S., and if I were stranded with a flat tire, I know there’s a PLI alum nearby who would assist me in changing it.”
Such a bond is invaluable, she adds.
Brokaw’s connections through PLI materialized at a pivotal juncture as she recently navigated succession planning within the family farm. Amid significant changes in her personal and operational spheres, she found a new avenue by collaborating with the National Pork Board to aid other producers in developing sustainability reports and climate-smart initiatives in Illinois and Missouri.
“I’m operating within my local community, and it’s gratifying to contribute to enhancing the economic landscape for farmers I know and consider friends, especially during times where every dollar holds significance,” Brokaw shares.
While Seger was already on a trajectory towards assuming the presidency of the Ohio Pork Council, PLI propelled him further as a leader and equipped him to assume a more substantial role in his state.
“I always recognized it as a responsibility I should undertake, but familial obligations often led me to postpone it to the following year. Once I embarked on the executive path at the Ohio Pork Council, I realized the significance of PLI,” he acknowledges. “I’m immensely grateful that I embraced this opportunity. It broadened my perspective, enabling me to lead my state more effectively.”
The Washington D.C. visit during the PLI program offered participants a glimpse into the vast expanse of the pork industry and the support mechanisms in place for U.S. pork producers beyond the farm, Seger recounts.
“My family has been involved in pork production for as far back as I can recall. I’ve attended numerous events, yet one can develop a tunnel vision regarding operations within their own state,” Seger elucidates. “Furthermore, conveying your story becomes challenging when it’s a familiar narrative to you—you don’t wish to sound condescending. PLI enlightened me on the fact that what may be common knowledge to me is not necessarily common knowledge to others.”
The ability to translate these insights back to their respective states underscores a fundamental objective behind the inception of PLI. Serving as the vice president of the California Pork Producers Association, Wonderly underscores the significance of leveraging national insights to educate and enlighten her local community about the endeavors of Pork Checkoff and its support for producers.
“It’s imperative to acknowledge that our industry is self-sustaining and propelling growth by nurturing leaders. This is crucial, particularly during challenging times,” Brokaw emphasizes. “The road ahead won’t be devoid of challenges. There will always be new hurdles, and we perpetually require leaders to guide us through them.”
Seger reflects on the transformative power of bringing together a group of strangers—it sparks leadership, fosters confidence, and accelerates success.
“I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to have crossed paths with such remarkable individuals who are assuming increasingly influential roles within our industry through their diverse positions and responsibilities,” Hord acknowledges.
The horizons are bound to expand for Hord, Wonderly, Seger, and Brokaw. They, alongside numerous other PLI graduates, have gained a distinctive perspective through this transformative program. However, to be equitable, credit must be attributed to them for opting to share their newfound insights and knowledge with others. We belong to an industry that thrives on continuous learning, growth, and empowerment. Yet, it’s our actions following the acquisition of knowledge that truly set our industry apart.